Dig the Beach games played to Siesta Key

Former Islander Gillian Cassidy, daughter of this writer, and her teammate Haley Coulter played in the Dig the Beach, a doubles volleyball tournament played on the Siesta Key beach May 7. The girls, both 11, brought home fourth place in the 12 and under division. They lost their first two matches, but battled back to win two more matches to take second place in their five-team pool.

In the semifinals, Cassidy and Coulter dropped a hard-fought 21-17 decision to Thankdiwe Kangwa and Brianna Marazzi to drop into the third-place game. Trailing 17-20, Cassidy put in three straight aces to tie the score at 20-20. Her next serve — with the match on the line — hit the sideline for an apparent ace and the game, but she was called for a foot fault, giving the match to Coutney Krause and Hannah Richards of Venice.

Other locals who placed at the tourney include Kayla Armer and Jesslyn Kinlaw of Bradenton, who took third place in the 14-and-under girls division, and 9-year-old Tristen Hall, who teamed with Alex Meyer to take second in the boy’s 12-14 division.

Flag football winding down

The regular season of the Anna Maria Island Community Center NFL Flag Football season is all but over save for a couple of makeup games due to the recent rains and, of course, the upcoming playoffs.

Galati Yacht Sales takes an undefeated record into the playoffs in the 10-12 division, while Panoramic Cardinals sit the same in the 8-9 division. Beach Bistro Cardinals of the 13-16 division hold a one-game lead over the Island Real Estate Colts, so its anyone’s game. The playoffs get started May 27 at the Holmes Beach field with the Super Bowl set for May 30.

Mr. Bones Vikings defeated Ross Built Chargers 24-19 in 10-12 division action on May 21. Richard Almodovar scored three touchdowns to lead the Vikings, which also received a touchdown from Ben Connors in the victory. Alex Virgilio led the Chargers efforts with two touchdowns and an extra point, while Jake Ross added one touchdown in the loss.

Tyler Yavalar scored the only touchdown of the game as Island Dojo Martial Arts defeated Sparks Steel Art Falcons 6-0 in 8-9 division action on May 21.

Mike Norman Realty Packers defeated Mr. Bones Vikings 28-6 in 10-12 division action on May 20. Jack Shinn led the way with a pair of touchdowns, while Seth Walter added a TD and a two-point conversion. Keegan Murphy completed the scoring with a touchdown. Mr. Bones was led by Almodovar, who scored the lone touchdown in the loss.

Chris Galati scored three touchdowns to lead Galati Yacht Sales Texans past Ross Built Chargers 25-19 in 10-12 division action on May 18. Zach McGuire added one touchdown and Seth Matthew chipped in with an extra point in the victory. Jake Ross led Ross Built with a pair of touchdowns, while Alex Virgilio scored one touchdown and an extra point in the loss.

The second 10-12 game of the evening saw Sand Dollar Colts edge Mr. Bones Vikings 20-18 behind touchdowns from Zach Stewart, Nicholas Mello and Michael Duffman. Mikey Ellsworth provided the winning margin with a two-point conversion. Almodovar led the Vikings with three touchdowns in the loss.

AMICC summer camp approaches

The Anna Maria Island Community Center is offering several opportunities to improve your game or simply to make sure you’re not bored over the summer.

First up is a tennis camp for boys and girls ages 5-14 that June 8 through Aug. 13. It will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday at AMICC, and focus on skill development, sportsmanship and game knowledge through drills, games and matches. Cost is $99 per week for the camp.

Next up is the AMICC “Driven” Basketball Camp. Campers will first have their determination tested with endurance training and character development in addition to offensive, defensive and team-building activities, then move onto scrimmages to implement skills.

Session I runs will be June 14-26, with a second session July 14-24. Both sessions will be from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday and Friday, and 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday and Thursday.

Registration is under way with a deadline May 22 for Session I. Cost is $45 for members and $60 for non-members, or both sessions $60 for members, $85 for non-members.

Rich Bell and his Youth Sports Training group are offering a summer soccer camp for players ages 4-16 at the AMICC soccer fields June 29-July 10. This camp will focus on age-appropriate skill development through drills, games and competitions designed to bring out the best in each player.

The 4-6 age group will work out from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. daily, while the 7-16 age group will take the field from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost for the camp is $80 per week with registration by June 19.

Last, but not least, British Soccer Camps will be back Aug. 3-7 at the AMICC soccer fields. Registration is taking place now, but if players who register online at www.challengersports.com before June 19 receive a free jersey.

Cost for BSC’s two-hour mini camp from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. for ages 4-5 is $99, while the half-day camp, 9 a.m. to noon, is $104 for ages 6-9. Camp for ages 8-16 takes place from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and the cost is $104.

Key Royale golf news

The Key Royale Club men played a low-net-of-partners game May 20. The team of Jim Thorton and Bob Elliott combined to card a 5-under-par 123 to win first place by three shots over the team of John Sagert and Dan Hayes, who fired a 2-under 126. Third place went to the team of Pieter Thomassen and Jim MacVicar .

The men played a nine-hole, individual-low-net game on May 18. Paul Keyes fired a 3-under-par 29 to take first place by two shots over Vince Mercadante and Ralph Bassett, who tied for second place. Earl Huntzinger carded an even-par 32 to take third place.

Horseshoe news

Only two teams emerged from pool play with the prerequisite 3-0 record during horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits on May 23. Steve Grossman and Sam Samuels defeated Debbie Rhodes 22-13.

The May 20 games also had two teams emerge from pool play to battle it out for first place. Tom Rhodes and Jay Disbrow defeated Sam Samuels, the day’s walker, by a 21-15 score. Samuels then complained that “his partner let him down.”

Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.